Honeysuckle principal transferred to new job

A Dothan City Schools principal facing misdemeanor charges is being transferred to a job in the system’s central office.

Taylor police charged Patricia Slaughter, 58, of Alabama Highway 52, on May 17 with interfering with a governmental operation and resisting arrest. Slaughter was arrested at her home while Taylor police investigated her 28-year-old son, Jason Slaughter.

Police records indicate Patricia Slaughter was charged with obstruction for throwing a metal yard tool at a police officer. Records also show Slaughter was charged with intentionally attempting to prevent Officer Mike Stacey from arresting her.

After Slaughter’s arrest, she was placed on paid administrative leave. This action is consistent with school employment policy statewide, in which educators facing criminal charges are usually placed on administrative leave until the disposition of their cases. Tenured educators who are terminated can appeal their terminations, and are entitled to receive pay until their appeal is resolved. If they are fired and are acquitted of the charges against them or the charges are dropped, they could possibly sue the school system.

At a special meeting Wednesday morning, the city school board approved Slaughter moving into the open position of assistant director of exceptional student services. The position is being vacated by Carol Cunningham, who is moving up to become director of exceptional student services. Board members Brenda Guilford, Hays McKay and Gayla White were not present at the meeting.

Slaughter’s new job comes with a pay cut and Slaughter has also submitted her intention to retire in July 2011, when she becomes eligible for benefits.

Dothan City School Superintendent Sam Nichols said the move was in the best interest of the school system.